Pongtharin Sapayanon, the company's Thai fixed-income portfolio manager, said the company was considering launching an FIF that invested in either G-7 sovereign bonds or bonds issued by emerging economies. A decision will likely be made next year. "We'll also launch more fixed-income products next year. Although our target group is institutional investors, we're considering relaunching our money-market fund next year," said Pongtharin.

Aberdeen's equity fund is among the best performers in the domestic mutual-fund industry. After its parent, the Aberdeen Group, took over 100 per cent of Deutsche Asset Management last year, it decided to expand in the fixed-income fund market.

Ian Winship, head of global interest rates, said Thailand was one of the markets that Aberdeen would look to for more ideas and opportunities to diversify its investments.

Winship said that last month's coup would not hurt long-term prospects.

Piyarat Setthasiriphaiboon

The Nation